SPS 1. Special Products Standard for Fingerjoined Structural Lumber. Effective March 2017

Transcription

1 SPS 1 Special Products Standard for Fingerjoined Structural Lumber Effective March 2017 Approved by the Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board Supersedes All Previous Editions, Revisions and Supplements

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3 SPS 1 SPECIAL PRODUCTS STANDARD FOR FINGERJOINED STRUCTURAL LUMBER EFFECTIVE: March 1, 2017 Supersedes All Previous Editions, Revisions and Supplements Prior to March 1, 2017 Approved by the Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board February 2017 Approved as meeting the ALSC Glued Lumber Policy by the American Lumber Standard Committee Board of Review June 2014 Published by the NATIONAL LUMBER GRADES AUTHORITY Granville St Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1T2 Tel: (604) NATIONAL LUMBER GRADES AUTHORITY 1978, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in any material form (including photocopying, storing it in any medium by electronic means whether or not transiently or incidentally to such use of this publication) without the written permission of the copyright holder except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act. Applications for the copyright holder s written permission to produce any part of this publication must be addressed to the copyright holder. Warning: the doing of any unauthorized act in relation to a copyrighted work may result in both civil claim for damages and criminal prosecution.

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5 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE SCOPE THIS STANDARD CONSISTS OF TWO PARTS NLGA STANDARD GRADING RULES IMPERIAL UNITS DESIGN VALUES FINGERJOINED STRUCTURAL LUMBER DEFINITIONS & REFERENCED PUBLICATIONS DEFINITIONS REFERENCED PUBLICATIONS... 9 PART A PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS FOR FINGERJOINED STRUCTURAL LUMBER PRODUCT DESCRIPTION APPLICATIONS SPECIAL APPLICATIONS DEMONSTRATION OF CONFORMANCE GRADE DESCRIPTION STANDARD SIZES LUMBER REQUIREMENTS SPECIES WOOD QUALITY IN THE JOINT LUMBER QUALITY FINGER PROFILE FINGERJOINT TOLERANCES MOISTURE CONTENT ADHESIVE REQUIREMENTS ADHESIVE SPECIFICATION SEPARATE APPLICATION ADHESIVES ADHESIVE MIING JOINT FABRICATION PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS MODULUS OF RUPTURE (MOR) DELAMINATION TENSION PROOF LOADING FINAL GRADE JOINT EVALUATION PROCEDURES MODULUS OF RUPTURE (MOR) DELAMINATION RESISTANCE EVALUATION TENSION PROOF LOADING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS GRADE STAMPING REQUIREMENTS GENERAL REQUIREMENTS PART B QUALIFICATION AND QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS EQUIPMENT MOR TEST EQUIPMENT ACCURACY DELAMINATION EQUIPMENT TENSION TESTING EQUIPMENT ACCURACY QUALITY CONTROL MANUAL (PLANT STANDARD) AND RESPONSIBILITIES GENERAL QUALITY CONTROL PERSONNEL PREPARATION, REVISION & APPROVAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS INITIAL QUALIFICATION NEW PRODUCTION LINE START UP OR MAJOR CHANGE REQUIREMENTS (TO BE PERFORMED BY THE FACILITY)... 20

6 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page INITIAL QUALIFICATION SAMPLING (TO BE PERFORMED BY THE AGENCY) RE QUALIFICATION SAMPLING INSPECTION DECISION RULES SUBSEQUENT QUALIFICATION NON PRODUCTION OF QUALIFIED GRADES ECEEDING ONE YEAR EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION TEST EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION DEVICES QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES QUALITY CONTROL SAMPLING QUALITY CONTROL TESTING ANALYSIS OF QUALITY CONTROL TESTS ALTERNATE GRADES IDENTIFICATION AND TRACEABILITY QUALITY CONTROL RECORDS REINSPECTION PROVISIONS GENERAL JOINT ASSESSMENT SAMPLING AND EVALUATION FINGERJOINT DELAMINATION SAMPLING AND EVALUATION APPENDICES APPENDI I - BENDING TEST SET-UP SCHEMATIC APPENDI II - QUALITY CONTROL MANUAL CONTENTS APPENDI III - THE USE OF WOOD FAILURE ASSESSMENT IN PROCESS CONTROL APPENDI IV - AGENCY ADMINISTRATION APPENDI V - FINGER PROFILE ORIENTATION FOR DELAMINATION IN THE DRYING CHAMBER APPENDI VI - EAMPLES OF DELAMINATION IN-CONTROL & OUT-OF-CONTROL SCENARIOS APPENDI VII - FINGER JOINT VERIFICATION FLOW CHARTS: DELAMINATION APPENDI VIII - FINGER JOINT VERIFICATION FLOW CHARTS: BENDING STRENGTH APPENDI I - COMMENTARY ON TABLE 9 - HALF-SHIFT DELAMINATION RESULTS REQUIRING FURTHER VERIFICATION TESTING LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1 - BENDING TEST SET-UP SCHEMATIC FIGURE 2 - FINGER ORIENTATION RELATIVE TO AIRFLOW FIGURE 3 - EAMPLES OF IN-CONTROL AND OUT-OF-CONTROL SCENARIOS FIGURE 4 - DELAMINATION FINGERJOINT VERIFICATION FLOW CHART FIGURE 5 - BENDING STRENGTH FINGERJOINT VERIFICATION FLOW CHART LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1 STANDARD THICKNESS AND WIDTHS (FROM CSA 0141)...10 TABLE 2 KNOT SIZES IN JOINT AREA...10 TABLE 3 REDUCED WIDTH FACTORS...12 TABLE 4 FINGERJOINT TEST VALUES FOR BENDING STRENGTH & TENSION STRESS PROOF LOAD LEVELS FOR S P F...15 TABLE 5 FINGERJOINT TEST VALUES FOR BENDING STRENGTH & TENSION STRESS PROOF LOAD LEVELS FOR HEM FIR (N)...16 TABLE 6 FINGERJOINT TEST VALUES FOR BENDING STRENGTH & TENSION STRESS PROOF LOAD LEVELS FOR D FIR L (N)...17 TABLE 7 FINGERJOINT TEST VALUES FOR BENDING STRENGTH & TENSION STRESS PROOF LOAD LEVELS FOR NORTH SPECIES...18 TABLE 8 TEST EQUIPMENT SPOT CHECK FREQUENCY...24 TABLE 9 HALF SHIFT DELAMINATION RESULTS REQUIRING FURTHER VERIFICATION SAMPLING

7 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 5 The following is a list of revisions to SPS 1 since December PREFACE a) Revised Sections Effective December 1, 2006 Section 9.2.4; Section b) Revised Sections Effective April 4, 2007 Section 2 Definitions; Section 2.2; Section 3.1; Section 3.2; and Section 3.3 Section 7.1.1; Section 7.1.4; and Section 10.2 g). c) Revised Sections Effective July 14, 2010 Section 13.8 d) Revised Sections Effective November 1, 2010 Replace all references NLGA SPS Annex B Elevated Temperature Adhesive Qualification Procedure in HRA & Non HRA Definitions, Section 3.2.1, Sections 2.2 and with ASTM D Practice for Evaluating Elevated Temperature Performance of Adhesives Used in End Jointed Lumber Section ; and Section 2.2 updated Reference Publications. e) Revised Sections Effective April 2011 Revised the Flat Bending 5 th %ile strength test values in all Test Value Tables; and Added The test values apply only to fingerjoints using a horizontal profile to the Notes under Test Value Tables f) Revised Sections Effective February 2013 Revised Section ; Added 2 new Tables and revised Table number accordingly; Section 13.2 added (To be performed by the Facility) to the section title; and Section 13.3 added (To be performed by the Agency) to the section. Replaced Calibration in the Table 9 heading with Spot Check to now read: Table 8 Test Equipment Spot Check Frequency. g) Revised Sections Effective November 2014 Updated Section 2.2 Referenced Publications; Revised Section to comply with the ALSC GLP; Replaced Tables 3 & 4 with a new Table 3 and renumbered Tables; and Revised Section to improve wording of this clause. h) Revisions Effective March 2017 Updated Section 2.2 Referenced Publications; Revised Section to clarify the wording; and Updated NLGA Ratified Responses and Attachment 1 at the end of this Standard

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9 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page SCOPE 1.1 THIS STANDARD CONSISTS OF TWO PARTS PART A: Product Specifications specifies grade characteristics, standard sizes, visual grading and adhesive requirements property requirements, joint evaluation procedures, and grade stamping requirements for Structural Fingerjoined Lumber. PART B: Qualification and Quality Control Requirements: specifies minimum qualifications and quality control requirements for a facility producing fingerjoined lumber in accordance with the requirements of PART A of this Standard. 1.2 NLGA STANDARD GRADING RULES This Standard shall be used in conjunction with and forms part of the NLGA Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber. 1.3 IMPERIAL UNITS In case of a dispute, the values stated in imperial units shall take precedence. 1.4 DESIGN VALUES For use in Canada, design values are assigned to fingerjoined lumber by the CSA Technical Committee on Engineering Design in Wood and are published in the current edition of CSA O86. For use in the U.S., design values are published in the NLGA Standard Grading Rules (Para. 900). 1.5 FINGERJOINED STRUCTURAL LUMBER This Standard applies to visually graded fingerjoined structural lumber. The profile and quality of the fingerjoint shall be established by inspection and test procedures, and the quality of full length fingerjoined lumber shall be verified by visual grading in accordance with the NLGA Standard Grading Rules. 2.0 DEFINITIONS & REFERENCED PUBLICATIONS 2.1 DEFINITIONS The following definitions shall apply to this Standard. AGENCY: an organization accredited by the Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board (CLSAB) and/or the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC), Board of Review engaged in the grading, grade stamping and/or certification of lumber or who certifies facilities to grade and place a grade stamp upon lumber. AGENCY SUPERVISOR: an employee of the Agency who is approved by the Agency to inspect facilities producing fingerjoined lumber. AGENCY VERIFICATION: a specific set of procedures used by an Agency to verify that an item of post grade stamped fingerjoined lumber conforms to the requirements of this Standard and the NLGA Standard Grading Rules. BOIL OUT: a characteristic of phenol resorcinol adhesives cured at high temperatures: the paraformaldehyde hardener decomposes to gaseous formaldehyde more rapidly than the formaldehyde can react with the phenolresorcinol resin. Unless sufficient pressure is applied to the glueline, the result may be a foamy glueline that is weaker than a normal glueline. CALIBRATION: a procedure of comparing two instruments, measuring devices or standards, one of which is of known accuracy traceable to a nationally recognised standard. CONFORMANCE: a state in which the production process meets the requirements of this Standard. CONTROL CHARTS: are reports or records used to monitor the variation between the process quality level and a predetermined conformance quality level, and to indicate when changes in the process are required to bring the process back into an IN CONTROL state as defined by the conformance quality level. CYCLIC DELAMINATION TEST: a test procedure that simulates environmental conditions to which wood products may be exposed during shipment, storage or use. DELAMINATION: a separation of the glueline as a result of drying stresses. Reasons for delamination may also include joint mis manufacture that produces a glueline that is weaker than the wood or delamination may be caused by the glueline being softened by the water. Drying stresses that produce delamination are similar to those that produce checking in wood. DISPLACEMENT: the amount of clear wood displaced by a characteristic and considered in its relation to the amount it reduces the strength of the cross section of the piece of lumber under consideration. EVALUATION: an assessment of the manufacturing process and its quality control programs to determine whether a facility is capable of producing an item that meets the requirements of this Standard. FACILITY: is a manufacturing plant that produces fingerjoined lumber and conducts visual grading and quality control sampling and testing. GRADE STAMP (MARK): the grade identification applied on a specimen of fingerjoined lumber shall include the appropriate information under Section 10.0 of this Standard. The grade stamp (mark) indicates that the fingerjoined process meets this Standard and the requirements of the Agency s qualification and quality control procedures. HEAT RESISTANT ADHESIVE (HRA): an adhesive that meets the elevated temperature performance requirements of ASTM D7374. HORIZONTAL FINGERJOINT: a profile formed so that an image of the fingers appears on the narrow face of the lumber.

10 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 8 IN CONTROL: a state in which on going quality control testing indicates that the production process meets the mechanical property and/or delamination requirements of this Standard. INSPECTION: the examination, measurement and/or testing of the properties of an item to ensure they meet the quality control requirements of this standard. INTERCHANGEABLE: capable of being assigned the design values of another product under certain end use conditions. Note 1: The specific end use conditions are described in this Standard. Note 2: Two products are deemed to be interchangeable only to the extent established by the minimum requirements specified in this Standard. Comparability of properties not explicitly covered by this Standard may require additional assessment. ITEM: lumber of a given grade, size (without reference to length), species or species group and moisture content. NON CONFORMANCE: a deficiency in a property, documentation or procedure that renders the quality of an item not to be in adherence to specified requirements of this standard and therefore unacceptable. Examples that may cause nonconformance: physical defects, test failures, incorrect or inadequate documentation, or deviations from prescribed processing, inspection or test procedures. OUT OF CONTROL: a state in which on going quality control testing indicates that the production process does not meet the mechanical property or delamination requirements of this Standard. QUALITY CONTROL: a set of procedures that provide a means of measuring and regulating the performance of an item to specified requirements. QUALITY CONTROL MANUAL (PLANT STANDARD): a document which sets forth a specific set of instructions to describe the quality control functions and requirements to be carried out in the production of fingerjoined lumber. RANDOM SAMPLING: a procedure by which a sample is generated from a population. The sample shall be representative of the population. RE QUALIFICATION: analysis of the test results from a random sample drawn from a process that has undergone corrective action in response to an OUT OF CONTROL condition or re establishing conformance of non production grades for a period exceeding one year of a particular fingerjoined grade. SEPARATE APPLICATION ADHESIVE: a multicomponent adhesive that has the following characteristics: Each adhesive component is applied separately to one or both sides of the joint. All adhesive components are required for the bond strength to be fully developed. Some separate application adhesives require that the components be blended 1 in order for the adhesive to develop the required strength and durability. Other systems simply require the components to come into contact with each other. 1 Blended is defined as thoroughly mixing the adhesive components together resulting in a homogeneous mixture. SHIPMENT: one or more bundles, packages or units of lumber that comprise an order. SPECIMEN: a piece of fingerjoined lumber randomly selected from production for purposes of quality control, quality verification testing and any subsequent analysis. SPOT CHECK: the verification that the calibration / device / machine is still within calibration tolerances. SUBSEQUENT QUALIFICATION: analysis of the test results from a random sample drawn from a process whose production is in conformance with the requirements of this Standard, but has been modified for reasons other than to respond to a detection of non conformance. Subsequent qualification procedures apply only to the process changes specified in this Standard. Other process changes shall be evaluated using the Initial Qualification procedures. TENSION PROOF LOADING: is a process whereby a piece(s) of fingerjoined lumber is loaded to a predetermined proof load tensile stress level. TEST EQUIPMENT: equipment used by the facility to determine the bending strength or resistance to delamination of a finger joint for determining conformance to the specified requirements of this Standard. TEST LOAD: a load that will induce a stress that corresponds to the property value for the grade under consideration. VERTICAL FINGERJOINT: a profile formed so that an image of the fingers appears on the wide face of the lumber. WOOD FAILURE: a type of failure induced on the glue bond in which the fingerjoint is failed by the tearing away of wood fibre from one and/or the other side of the fingerjoint of the two pieces that have been glued. Note: If fingers break off at the base or away from the fingerjoint, this is not considered to be wood failure.

11 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page REFERENCED PUBLICATIONS ALSC Glued Lumber Policy (GLP) (Nov 2013) AWC NDS ASTM National Design Specification for Wood Construction (2012) D (2011) Standard Practice for Establishing Structural Grades and Related Allowable Properties for Visually Graded Lumber D Standard Practice for Evaluating Allowable Properties for Grades of Structural Lumber D Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Standardization and Calibration of Hand Held Moisture Meters D (2015) Standard Practice for Evaluating Elevated Temperature Performance of Adhesives Used in End Jointed Lumber D Standard Practice for Field Calibration and Application of Hand Held Moisture Meters ASTM E4 16 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines CLSAB CSA REGULATIONS (Oct 2016) CSA O86 14 Engineering Design in Wood CSA O (R2014) Softwood Lumber CSA O112.7 M1977 (R2001) Resorcinol and Phenol Resorcinol Resin Adhesives for Wood CSA (R2014) Evaluation of Adhesives for Structural Wood Products (Exterior Exposure) NLGA Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber (Jan 2014) PART A PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS FOR FINGERJOINED STRUCTURAL LUMBER 3.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 3.1 APPLICATIONS Fingerjoined lumber produced to the requirements of SPS 1 is interchangeable with non fingerjoined lumber of the same grade and length pursuant to the following restrictions: a) Fingerjoined lumber cannot be visually re graded or re manufactured into a higher stress grade even if the quality of the lumber containing fingerjoints would otherwise warrant such re grading; b) Fingerjoining of lumber for the manufacture of horizontally laminated timbers is not within the scope of this Standard. Note: Fingerjoined lumber for laminated timber is covered by laminated timber standards. 3.2 SPECIAL APPLICATIONS HEAT RESISTANT ADHESIVES Fingerjoined lumber marked HRA is manufactured with a heat resistant adhesive that meets the requirements of ASTM D7374. Fingerjoined lumber marked as HRA and used in non standard fire rated assemblies may require additional fire protection. Note: See ASTM D7374 for background on standard firerated assembly CHEMICALLY TREATED WOOD Fingerjoining chemically treated lumber or chemical treatment of fingerjoined lumber are not within the scope of this Standard. 3.3 DEMONSTRATION OF CONFORMANCE Lumber represented as conforming to the requirements of this Standard shall be manufactured using a process in which the quality of the fingerjoints produced is continuously in accordance with all the requirements specified herein. Product conformance shall be recorded by maintaining records and charts on the results of the inspection and test procedures. 4.0 GRADE DESCRIPTION This Standard applies to visually graded fingerjoined lumber in all the species groups as defined in Section 6.0 and to the grade classifications of Light Framing, Structural Light Framing, Joists and Planks, Studs and Decking, as specified in the NLGA Standard Grading Rules. 5.0 STANDARD SIZES Standard thickness and widths for fingerjoined lumber produced in accordance with this Standard are shown in Table 1. Other thickness and widths can be used on qualification.

12 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 10 TABLE 1 STANDARD THICKNESS AND WIDTHS (FROM CSA O141) Nominal Dimension Imperial (inches) Specified Dimension Metric (mm) Thickness Dry Green Dry Green 1 ¾ 25 / / / / / / / / Width Dry Green Dry Green / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / LUMBER REQUIREMENTS 6.1 SPECIES The lumber used in the manufacture of fingerjoined structural lumber may be of any species in the species combinations specified in the NLGA Standard Grading Rules. These species may be combined in any combination that preserves the species combination. Species from different species combinations shall not be mixed within the same piece. 6.2 WOOD QUALITY IN THE JOINT For the grades of Select Structural, No. 1 and No. 2, the fingerjoints shall be formed in sound wood that otherwise meets the slope of grain and other visual requirements of the grade, except as provided for in Sections and In all other grades, the fingerjoints shall be formed in wood that meets the requirements of No. 2 or Standard grades, except as provided in Sections 6.2.3, and The joint may contain pitch and/or firm honeycomb not exceeding 10% displacement. Note: 10% displacement refers to: only one piece of the joint; or the combination of both pieces of the joint Knots: In all grades, the fingers shall not contain knots that exceed the size of knots listed in Table 2. Knots appearing on the narrow faces are permitted the same cross sectional area displacement as knots specified on wide faces. All knots exceeding the displacement shall be set back from the base of the fingers so that neither the knot(s), nor the grain distortion associated with the knot(s), extend into the fingers Wane: shall not exceed half the thickness in any grade. Wherever possible, the wane on the two pieces forming the joint shall be placed at the same corner of the joint Slope of grain: 1 in 4 for Standard and 1 in 8 for Const., No. 3 and Stud grades. 6.3 LUMBER QUALITY The finished product shall be visually graded in accordance with the provisions of the NLGA Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber. 6.4 FINGER PROFILE The orientation of the finger profile may be manufactured into the lumber at any angle; however, the finger profile shall be formed in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the lumber being joined. TABLE 2 KNOT SIZES IN JOINT AREA Nominal Width Select Str. No. 1 No. 2 Construction, Standard, Utility, Stud & No. 3 (inches) (Inches) (mm) (Inches) (mm) (Inches) (mm) (Inches) (mm) 2 3 / 16 5 ¼ 6 ¼ 6 ⅜ ¼ 6 ⅜ 9.5 ½ 13 ⅝ 16 4 ⅜ 9.5 ½ 13 ¾ 19 ⅞ 22 5 ½ 13 ⅝ 16 ⅞ 22 1⅛ 29 6 ⅝ 16 ¾ ⅜ 35 8 ¾ ⅛ 29 1⅝ ⅛ 29 1⅜ 35 1⅞ ¼ 32 1¼ 32 1½

13 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page FINGERJOINT TOLERANCES The tolerances on machining and assembly of the finger profile shall be such that when the end pressure and the face pressure are applied in the gluing process (make up), the following conditions are met: Tip gap : which is the distance from the tip of any finger in the joint area to the base of the matching profile for that finger, must not exceed 1 / 16 " (1.6 mm) Fingerjoint offset : between the surfaces of the lumber, in either lateral or vertical directions, must not exceed 1 / 16 " (1.6 mm). 6.6 MOISTURE CONTENT Green and dry lumber shall not be mixed within the same specimen. 7.0 ADHESIVE REQUIREMENTS 7.1 ADHESIVE SPECIFICATION GENERAL The adhesive used for joining of the fingerjoints shall meet Section and either Section or Section of this Standard RESORCINOL & PHENOL RESORCINOL ADHESIVES The adhesive used for joining the fingerjoints shall meet the requirements of CSA O112.7 M1977, Resorcinol and Phenol Resorcinol Adhesives for Wood. The adhesive may be mixed with the minimum amount of inert fillers required for its performance in the particular process being used ALTERNATE ADHESIVES The adhesive used for joining the fingerjoints shall meet the requirements of CSA O (R2014) when evaluated for one of the softwood species specified in the Standard ELEVATED TEMPERATURE The adhesive shall meet the requirements of ASTM D SEPARATE APPLICATION ADHESIVES GENERAL NON PERMISSIBLE SEPARATE APPLICATION ADHESIVES "Separate application" adhesives are not permitted when components, which are applied separately, need to be blended in order that the joint achieves the required bond strength and durability PERMISSIBLE SEPARATE APPLICATION ADHESIVES "Separate application" adhesives utilising additional components that only require contact between the components in order to develop the required bond strength and durability are permitted provided the requirements of Sections and are met MONITORING REQUIREMENTS In addition to meeting the requirements of Section , the following information shall be provided and documented in the Plant Standard: a) Procedures for continuous monitoring of the proportions of the components applied to joint, and the coverage required for each component; b) Systems for notifying the operator when the component proportions or coverage are beyond the acceptable limits as defined in the adhesive specification. Acceptable operating limits shall be qualified under Section 7.2.3; c) Procedures for identifying the production that was produced while the adhesive application system was operating outside of the acceptable limits. Such production shall be evaluated in accordance with Section QUALIFICATION Prior to performing the qualification requirements outlined in Section , the procedures outlined in Section 13.3 shall be used to qualify both the upper and lower limits of that provided in the adhesive specification. Joints shall be sampled as specified in Section 13.3 from production set to operating conditions corresponding to the upper component proportions or coverage and tested in accordance with Section This sampling and testing shall be repeated for production set to operating conditions corresponding to the lower component proportions or coverage. 7.3 ADHESIVE MIING Mixing of the adhesive shall be performed in accordance with the instructions of the adhesive supplier. 7.4 JOINT FABRICATION ADHESIVE APPLICATION The adhesive shall be applied to the finger profiles in a manner that will ensure that all the gluing surfaces between the fingers receive a sufficient amount of adhesive that result in squeeze out of excess glue when the end pressure is applied. The adhesive may be applied to one or both sections forming the joint HEAT DAMAGE Where a procedure is used to apply heat to the finger profile, it shall be such as to ensure that neither the wood surfaces in the profile nor the wood itself are damaged by excess heat. Note: In Radio Frequency (RF) curing, wood damage may result from excessively long exposure of the finger profile to the RF field. In either situation both the strength and the longterm durability of the joint may be impaired.

14 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page END PRESSURE The end pressure applied during the joint assembly process and while the glueline is being cured, shall be that required for the specific lumber size, species, finger profile and process used. Pressure shall not be such as to produce splitting in the wood at the base of the fingers. 8.0 PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS The following requirements shall apply to the test values as provided in Tables 4 to MODULUS OF RUPTURE (MOR) The minimum requirements for both flat and edge bending strengths are determined in accordance with the test procedures set forth in Section 9.1, which are: MINIMUM MODULUS OF RUPTURE All of the test results shall meet or exceed the minimum bending strength as provided in Tables 4 to FIFTH PERCENTILE (5 th %ile) MODULUS OF RUPTURE (MOR 5th ) The process lower fifth percentile for modulus of rupture (MOR 5th ) shall equal or exceed the fifth percentile (5 th %ile) test value for the grade as provided in Tables 4 to 7 when subjected to a short term test load and tested in accordance with Section DELAMINATION The average delamination of the joint, measured in accordance to the test procedures in Section 9.2, shall not exceed 10% at the completion of the three cycles. Joints in which the delamination at the end of 1 cycle does not exceed 5% shall be considered to meet this requirement. In addition, the delamination on a single specimen shall not exceed 15%. Average delamination of the joint is the average of the delamination found in the two test specimens, except that if only one test specimen is obtained from a short fingered joint, the average delamination of the joint is that obtained from that single test specimen. 8.3 TENSION PROOF LOADING For No. 2 and higher grades, all production shall meet the proof load tension stress levels for the species, sizes and grades as provided in Tables 4 to FINAL GRADE The final grade of the fingerjoined lumber shall be determined by the lower of the visual grade of the lumber or the stress grade determined by strength tests on the fingerjoints. 9.0 JOINT EVALUATION PROCEDURES 9.1 MODULUS OF RUPTURE (MOR) MOR SPECIMEN SIZE A specimen for determination of bending strength shall consist of a full size piece of fingerjoined lumber containing at least one fingerjoint positioned in such a way that when the specimen is tested in bending, the fingerjoint is located at mid span. The length of the specimen shall be such that the overhang is not less than 4" (100mm), and not more than 10" (250mm), unless appropriate corrections are made to the load values to compensate for longer overhangs. The specimen shall not be surfaced or machined in any way prior to test, except as provided for in Section , unless such surfacing or machining is an integral part of the manufacturing process REDUCED WIDTH MOR SPECIMEN In the event that the test equipment will not permit fullwidth edgewise MOR testing, a nominal 2x4 (3.50 in) test piece is permitted to be ripped lengthwise from the full width test piece provided it includes an asmanufactured original narrow face The reduced width (ripped) 2x4 test pieces shall be used for the reduced width MOR testing with an asmanufactured narrow face being randomly selected for testing (random relative to the transverse feed direction) The reduced width (ripped) 2x4 test pieces shall be prepared and tested with the as manufactured narrow face in tension The bending strength result of the test piece shall be divided by the appropriate reduced width factor given in Table 3. TABLE 3 REDUCED WIDTH FACTORS Actual Ripped Reduced Width 3.5 Note: Reduced Width Bending Strength Factors Original (Un ripped) Lumber Nominal Width 5 (2x5) 6 (2x6) 8 (28) 10 (2x10) 12 (2x12) The reduced width factor (RWF) is based on the formula used in Table 2 of the ALSC Glued Lumber Policy and noted below: RWF = (7270 (177 h 1 )) / (7270 (177 h 2 )) Where: h 1 = the reduced specimen dimension in the direction of the applied load; & h 2 = the full board width specimen dimension.

15 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page The reduced width test results shall meet the appropriate bending strength values (for the original size) found in Tables 4 to 7 of this Standard. Example (for 2x10, S P F, No. 2): 1) From the full width 2x10 test piece, rip a nominal 2x4 (3.50 ) test piece such that it includes one randomly selected as manufactured narrow face; 2) Test the ripped 2x4 test piece for MOR with the asmanufactured narrow face in tension to failure and record the bending strength result; 3) Determine the size adjusted test result by dividing the bending strength test result by 1.18 (the reducedwidth bending strength factor for 2x10); and 4) As per PART B of the Standard, compare the sizeadjusted test result to the required Min & 5 th %ile test value for 2x10, S P F, NO. 2 in Table 4, which is 2020 and 2320 respectively MOR TEST PROCEDURE Four point loading shall be used, with the two loading points symmetrically placed on either side of the fingerjoint. The loading points shall be placed adjacent to and spanning the fingerjoint, approximately 2" (50 mm) from the joint area (see APPENDI I, Figure 1). The load shall be applied at a uniform rate of movement of the loading head so that the time to maximum load is approximately one minute and in no case less than 35 seconds in any one test. The test loading rate must not exceed the ability of the load measuring device on the testing machine to respond accurately. The specimen shall be tested with a shear span to depth ratio between 15 and 20, where depth is the dimension of the specimen under test in the direction in which the loading force is applied MOR CALCULATION & REPORT Using the specified dimensions of the test specimen, calculate the MOR from the breaking loads as shown in the example in APPENDI I, Figure 1, and record the MOR for each test specimen. The specified dimensions are the dimensions as provided in Table 1. These specified dimensions are also used to calculate MOR when joints are tested in green lumber. If a failure occurs outside of the fingerjoint, it shall be recorded in the quality control records including the cause for the failure. Note: A failure that occurs outside of the fingerjoint is not recorded as a joint failure. However, if the failure occurring outside of the fingerjoint is below the minimum edge or flat bending strength as provided in Tables 4 to 7 then it shall be replaced with another joint sample. 9.2 DELAMINATION RESISTANCE EVALUATION DELAMINATION TEST SPECIMEN Green lumber shall be dried to 19% or less moisture content prior to performing the delamination test FINGER PROFILES GREATER THAN 5 / 8 INCH (16 mm) IN LENGTH LONG FINGERED (LF) JOINTS The LF test specimen shall consist of a section of the fingerjoined lumber approximately 7 inches (180 mm) long with the fingerjoint in the centre of the length. The specimen shall be cross cut through the centre of the joint to yield two test specimens FINGER PROFILES 5 / 8 INCH (16 mm) & LESS IN LENGTH SHORT FINGERED (SF) JOINTS The fingers of the SF test specimen shall be cross cut at the tips of the fingers to yield one test specimen approximately 3½" (89 mm) in length with the glueline visible in the end grain DELAMINATION TEST PROCEDURE Place the test specimens in the pressure vessel and weight them down. Admit sufficient water at a temperature of 65 to 85 F (18.3 to 29.4 C), so that the test specimens are completely submerged. Separate the test specimens by stickering, wire screens or other means so that all end grain surfaces are freely exposed to water. Draw a vacuum of 20 to 25 inches (508 to 635 mm) of mercury and hold it for 30 minutes, then release the vacuum and apply a pressure of 75±5 psi (0.520 ± MPa) for a period of two hours. Dry the test specimens using air at a temperature of 160 ±5 F (71 ±3 C). The air circulation and number of specimens in the oven at any one time shall be selected such that the specimens are dried to moisture content of 19% or less. During drying, place the specimens at least 2 inches (50 mm) apart, with the end grain surfaces and finger orientation parallel to the direction of the airflow (refer to Figure 2 in APPENDI V). Dry the specimens until the moisture content (MC) of each specimen has reached 19% or less. Measure and record the delamination immediately, following the procedures set forth in Section Note: In ordinary circumstances drying the specimens overnight (up to 18 hours) should achieve the desired drying, provided the drying chamber is functioning as specified MEASUREMENT OF DELAMINATION At the end of the drying period, immediately examine the crosscut surface of the specimens for separations of the bondlines), and probe any indeterminate areas with a inch (0.102 mm) feeler gauge. All bondline separation shall be considered as delamination except for the following:

16 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 14 a) Ignore any separation in the bondlines adjacent to the outer fingers, any separation less than 0.10 inch (2.5 mm) long, and any separation within the knot boundaries visible in the crosscut surface. b) Where glueskip is present, it is permitted to ignore to a maximum of 10% of the total bondline that is shown to be due to glueskip. Such samples shall be marked to indicate the glueskip and the records shall show the amounts deducted from the delamination calculations. Note: Action should be taken to identify the causes of and prevent glueskip in the joint. If glueskip is suspected, the joint should be opened and the bondlines examined. The use of aids such as indicator dyes and appropriate lighting should be used to identify areas where adhesive is not present. Measure the length of the delaminated portions to the nearest 1/16 inch (1.6 mm). Add the various lengths together. Note: Testing should be done immediately because if the delamination specimens are removed from the oven and allowed to pick up moisture from the atmosphere, the bondline separation will tend to close INITIAL QUALIFICATION, RE QUALIFICATION & RE INSPECTION TESTING If the delamination of the specimen (Section ) or, if applicable, the average delamination of a specimen and its matching specimen (Section ) after one vacuum, pressure and drying cycle exceeds 5% but is less than 10%, repeat the above vacuum, pressure, drying cycle twice on that specimen and its matching specimen (if any), and record the delamination at the end of the third cycle QUALITY CONTROL, VERIFICATION & RE INSPECTION TESTING Results from daily quality control, verification, and reinspection test specimens shall be reported after one cycle of vacuum, pressure and drying DELAMINATION CALCULATION & REPORT The percentage delamination of a specimen is the sum of all the delamination found (excluding the outermost gluelines), divided by the total length of all the gluelines in which the delamination was measured, times 100. Report the percentage delamination of each specimen, the average percentage delamination for the joint When delamination in a fingerjoint exceeds 10%, the fingerjoint shall be sawn from the wood and the gluelines cleaved open, so that the cause of delamination may be determined. Causes of delamination shall be included in the quality control report. Note: In facilities that use RF heating of the glueline, the exposed cross section of the test specimens may show any overheating of the joint area as a discoloration of the wood. Most commonly, the delamination is caused by glue skip, but may also result from heat damage to the gluing surfaces. Heat damage may result in delamination to an area that shows shallow wood failure. A poorly manufactured finger profile may also contribute to delamination The Agency as part of its Policies and Procedures may request a facility to hold the delamination test samples intact for examination. 9.3 TENSION PROOF LOADING When required, all fingerjoints shall be proof loaded by applying a tensile stress for the species, size and grade as provided in Tables 4 to 7. Note: Occasional fingerjoints that appear near the ends and fall within the grips may be excluded from this requirement. However, production processes where the fingerjoints are consistently located within the grips shall not be permitted. The load shall not induce a rate of stress increase that will exceed 130,000 psi/min (14.9 MPa/sec). 9.4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS MEASUREMENT OF MOISTURE CONTENT AT TIME OF TEST For each bending test specimen, a moisture content measurement using a resistance type moisture meter shall be made each side of the joint. Each of the readings shall be recorded as the moisture content of the specimen(s) segment at the time of test. In the case of specimens that require ripping, measurements shall be taken and recorded for each rip and on each side of the ripped sample and the average moisture content (one MC value) reported as the moisture content for each side of the joint at the time of test TEMPERATURE EQUIPMENT The temperature of the test equipment shall, at the time of the test, be in the range of 50 to 90 F (10 to 30 C) inclusive. If the proof loading equipment is operated at temperatures below 50 F (10 C), the equipment shall be calibrated at a temperature within ±10 F (5 C) of the temperature at which the equipment will be operated FINGERJOINT TEST SPECIMENS Test specimens shall be stored under the same environmental conditions (within ±10 F or ±5 C) as the production until the start of the bending strength and/or delamination test.

17 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page GRADE STAMPING REQUIREMENTS 10.1 GENERAL All previous grade stamps shall be removed or obliterated REQUIREMENTS For all fingerjoined lumber produced in conformance with the requirements of this Standard, the grade stamp on each piece shall contain: a) the registered symbol of the Agency; b) the facility identification; c) the species or species combination identification; d) the seasoning designation; e) the grade; f) the expressions SPS 1 & CERT FGR JNT ; g) the expression HRA TABLE 4 FINGERJOINT TEST VALUES [1] [2] FOR BENDING STRENGTH & TENSION STRESS PROOF LOAD LEVELS FOR S P F Size 2x2 & 2x3 Tension Stress Proof load Edge Bending Strength (psi) Flat Bending Strength (psi) Grade Level [3] (psi) Min 5 th %ile Min 5 th %ile All Select Str No. 1 / No No. 3 / Stud Const Stand Select Str No. 1 / No x4 No. 3 / Stud Const Stand x6 2x8 2x10 2x12 Select Str No. 1 / No NO. 3 / Stud Select Str No. 1 / No No Select Str No. 1 / No No Select Str No. 1 / No No [1] The bending strengths and proof tensile stress levels are derived from the CSA O86 Engineering Design in Wood, or the Supplement to the U.S. National Design Specification for Wood Construction, whichever is a higher test value for a given species, size and grade. [2] The test values apply only to fingerjoints using a horizontal profile. [3] The Proof load Tension Stress Level is set at 1.33 / 2.1 times the Tensile Strength.

18 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 16 TABLE 5 FINGERJOINT TEST VALUES [1] [2] FOR BENDING STRENGTH & TENSION STRESS PROOF LOAD LEVELS FOR HEM FIR (N) Size Grade Tension Stress Proof load Edge Bending Strength (psi) Flat Bending Strength (psi) Level [3] (psi) Min 5 th %ile Min 5 th %ile All Select Str x2 & 2x3 No. 1 / No No. 3 / Stud Const Stand Select Str No. 1 / No x4 No. 3 / Stud Const Stand Select Str x6 No. 1 / No No. 3 / Stud Select Str x8 No. 1 / No No Select Str x10 No. 1 / No No Select Str x12 No. 1 / No No (1) The bending strengths and proof tensile stress levels are derived from the CSA O86 Engineering Design in Wood, or the Supplement to the U.S. National Design Specification for Wood Construction, whichever is a higher test value for a given species, size and grade. [2] The test values apply only to fingerjoints using a horizontal profile. [3] The Proof load Tension Stress Level is set at 1.33 / 2.1 times the Tensile Strength.

19 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 17 TABLE 6 FINGERJOINT TEST VALUES [1] [2] FOR BENDING STRENGTH & TENSION STRESS PROOF LOAD LEVELS FOR D FIR L (N) Size Grade Tension Stress Proof load Edge Bending Strength (psi) Flat Bending Strength (psi) Level [3] (psi) Min 5 th %ile Min 5 th %ile All Select Str x2 & 2x3 No. 1 / No No. 3 / Stud Const Stand Select Str No. 1 / No x4 No. 3 / Stud Const Stand Select Str x6 No. 1 / No No. 3 / Stud Select Str x8 No. 1 / No No Select Str x10 No. 1 / No No Select Str x12 No. 1 / No No [1] The bending strengths and proof tensile stress levels are derived from the CSA O86 Engineering Design in Wood, or the Supplement to the U.S. National Design Specification for Wood Construction, whichever is a higher test value for a given species, size and grade. [2] The test values apply only to fingerjoints using a horizontal profile. [3] The Proof load Tension Stress Level is set at 1.33 / 2.1 times the Tensile Strength.

20 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 18 TABLE 7 FINGERJOINT TEST VALUES [1] [2] FOR BENDING STRENGTH & TENSION STRESS PROOF LOAD LEVELS FOR NORTH SPECIES Size Grade Edge Bending Strength (psi) Flat Bending Strength (psi) Tension Stress Proof load Level [3] (psi) Min 5 th %ile Min 5 th %ile All Select Str x2 & 2x3 No. 1 / No No. 3 / Stud Const Stand Select Str No. 1 / No x4 No. 3 / Stud Const Stand Select Str x6 No. 1 / No No. 3 / Stud Select Str x8 No. 1 / No No Select Str x10 No. 1 / No No Select Str x12 No. 1 / No No [1] The bending strengths and proof tensile stress levels are derived from the CSA O86 Engineering Design in Wood, or the Supplement to the U.S. National Design Specification for Wood Construction, whichever is a higher test value for a given species, size and grade. [2] The test values apply only to fingerjoints using a horizontal profile. [3] The Proof load Tension Stress Level is set at 1.33 / 2.1 times the Tensile Strength.

21 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 19 PART B QUALIFICATION AND QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS 11.0 EQUIPMENT The facility's fingerjoining test and delamination equipment shall meet the following requirements: 11.1 MOR TEST EQUIPMENT ACCURACY The bending test equipment shall provide the functions illustrated in APPENDI I (Figure 1), with a roller action on the reaction supports and sufficient radius on the loading points to avoid significant crushing of the wood. Side supports to prevent buckling of lumber tested on edge shall also be provided. The load measuring equipment shall be accurate to within + 2% of the actual load. The load shall be applied through a cross head DELAMINATION EQUIPMENT PRESSURE VESSEL An autoclave or similar pressure vessel designed to safely withstand a pressure of at least 100 psi (0.7 MPa) is required for impregnating the specimens with water. The pressure vessel shall be equipped with a means of obtaining a vacuum of at least 25 inches (635 mm) of mercury (at sea level), and a means of obtaining a pressure of at least 75 psi (0.52 MPa) (gauge pressure). The vessel shall be equipped with a gauge(s) to register vacuum and pressure. Note: A suitable vacuum may be obtained from an aspirator attached to the water supply, and 75 psi (0.52 MPa) can usually be obtained from a municipal water supply or a compressed air supply DRYING OVEN The drying oven shall be capable of maintaining the conditions necessary to dry specimens to moisture content of 19% or less. Note: These drying conditions are those obtainable in cross flow, laboratory type ovens of the circulating type. They can also be obtained by using a non circulating configuration in which air heated by a space heater is passed over the specimens and vented. Conditions that affect the drying rate include cross flow air velocity, humidity, air temperature and the arrangement, size and number of specimens in the oven. Circulating type ovens that provide a cross flow air velocity of 250 ±50 fpm (75 ±15 m/min) in the centre of the drying chamber and maintain an air temperature of 160 ±5 F (71 ±3 C) should be capable of achieving the specified drying rate TENSION TESTING EQUIPMENT ACCURACY The load measuring device shall be accurate to within + 2% of the actual load QUALITY CONTROL MANUAL (PLANT STANDARD) AND RESPONSIBILITIES 12.1 GENERAL The Quality Control Manual (Plant Standard) is a written description of the manufacturing operation, broken down by station (See APPENDI II) QUALITY CONTROL PERSONNEL The quality control personnel shall be directly responsible to the facility management and not subordinated to production or sales. Persons responsible for quality control shall possess and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Agency that they have adequate knowledge of the manufacturing process, which shall include: a) Inspection and test procedures used to control the process; b) Operation and calibration of the recording and test equipment used; c) Maintenance and interpretation of quality control records; In addition, the quality control personnel shall be responsible for carrying out and maintaining records of various inspections, and test procedures detailed in the Quality Control Manual. The quality control personnel shall formally advise the facility management of circumstances resulting from the inspections and test procedures that indicate corrective action may be necessary in the production process PREPARATION, REVISION & APPROVAL Each facility shall: a) Prepare and maintain a Quality Control Manual in compliance with the latest edition of this Standard and shall submit the manual to the Agency for approval; b) Regularly review and update its Quality Control Manual to reflect current production practices and procedures, quality control policies and quality control program procedures and resubmit to the Agency; and c) Upon approval, implement the updated program in accordance with the Quality Control Manual.

22 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 20 The Agency must approve the Quality Control Manual at the time of qualification. Qualification shall apply only to the manufacturing, quality control procedures and limits set forth in the Quality Control Manual. The Agency shall be notified in advance of any changes in the Quality Control Manual that may affect product quality. Failure to have such changes approved prior to implementation, or failure to maintain the process in compliance to the requirements of this Standard and the Quality Control Manual, shall be grounds for disciplinary action QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES The Quality Control Manual shall include detailed procedures specifying how each of the following is to be performed and controlled: a) FJ equipment, test equipment operation and all calibration; b) Quality control sampling, testing and analysis; c) Documentation and record keeping; d) Identification and trace ability; e) Non conformance, and f) Corrective action AGENCY The Quality Control Manual shall identify the Agency. CLSAB and ALSC accredited agencies shall include an explanation of the following in their certification and quality control procedures: a) That their glued lumber certification and quality control procedures comply with the ALSC Glued Lumber Policy and the CLSAB Regulations; b) That the responsibility for the certification and quality control procedures is that of the Agency; and c) That the CLSAB and the ALSC shall monitor that certification and quality control procedures are being carried out by the Agency QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 13.1 INITIAL QUALIFICATION GENERAL A facility requesting qualification shall provide the Agency with evidence that all the requirements of PART A of this Standard have been met. Upon receipt of the request, the agency supervisor shall visit the facility to determine that: a) The facility is capable of operating within the requirements of this Standard and its Quality Control Manual; b) The facility personnel possess ability to undertake the requirements described in Section 12.0; and c) The calibration of the test equipment conforms to the requirements of the Quality Control Manual. Each item shall be qualified prior to issuing grade stamps. Note: Delamination tests can be made on rough lumber provided delamination tests are performed on the finished product as well, and that the finished product results must be used for product quality control. This is meant to address the effect that planing may have on the fingerjoint NEW PRODUCTION LINE START UP OR MAJOR CHANGE REQUIREMENTS (To be performed by the Facility) During start up of a new production line or when a major change to the fingerjoint process occurs, the facility shall immediately notify the Agency. Prior to grade stamps being issued for lumber from the new production line or to continue grade stamping privileges in the case of a major change(s), the facility shall provide the Agency with test results of 53 specimens performed in flat bending and 53 specimens in edge bending using samples generated from two consecutive shifts of operation. The 106 specimen sample shall be tested in accordance with Section 9.1 and the test results shall satisfy the requirements set forth in Section The sample for these tests shall be obtained from a single size, consisting of the highest grade, a specific species or species combination and using a procedure, approved by the Agency, which ensures that the sample is representative of the item to be qualified. The 106 specimen joint test is required in the initial start up of a fingerjoining line or when there is a major change to the fingerjoining process: it is intended to verify the adequacy of the joint profile chosen, and does not substitute for the Initial Qualification requirements called for in Sections 13.3 and Grade stamping shall be contingent upon verification of the item in accordance with Section of this Standard.

23 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page INITIAL QUALIFICATION SAMPLING (To be performed by the Agency) The agency supervisor shall randomly select the following samples for each grade to be qualified: a) 53 specimens for the edge bending modulus of rupture (MOR) property evaluations to be tested in accordance with Section 9.1 of this Standard in such a way that the compression face is randomly generated; b) 53 specimens for the flat bending modulus of rupture (MOR) evaluations to be tested in accordance with Section 9.1 of this Standard in such a way that the compression face is randomly generated; and c) 20 fingerjoint specimens for the delamination resistance tests. This sample may be extracted from the 53 flat or 53 edge bending specimens containing fingerjoints that were not tested in bending. The sample shall be tested in accordance with Section 9.2 of this Standard. For items a) and b) above, additional specimens to increase the sample size to 78, 102, 125 or 148 pieces may be selected to qualify the fingerjoint bending strength. Note: When selecting additional specimens, the minimum sample size will depend on the property being evaluated. See Section (d) RE QUALIFICATION SAMPLING The minimum sample size for each item and for each property to be re qualified is: BENDING STRENGTH a) When the 5 th %ile edge bending modulus of rupture is required to be re qualified, 28 specimens shall be randomly selected. The sample shall be tested for edge bending modulus of rupture in accordance with Section 9.1 of this Standard. b) When the 5 th %ile flat bending modulus of rupture is required to be re qualified, 28 specimens shall be randomly selected. The sample shall be tested for flat bending modulus of rupture in accordance with Section 9.1 of this Standard. c) When the minimum edge bending modulus of rupture is required to be re qualified, 53 specimens shall be randomly selected (see Section ). The sample shall be tested for edge bending modulus of rupture in accordance with Section 9.1 of this Standard. d) When the minimum flat bending modulus of rupture is required to be re qualified, 53 specimens (see Section ) shall be randomly selected. The sample shall be tested for flat bending modulus of rupture in accordance with Section 9.1 of this Standard For Section , increasing the sample size to 53, 78, 102 or 148 pieces is permitted to re qualify the modulus of rupture of the fingerjoints. Note: When selecting additional specimens, the minimum sample size will depend on the property being evaluated. See Sections (c) and (b) DELAMINATION When the delamination resistance is required to be re qualified, 20 fingerjoint specimens shall be randomly selected. The sample shall be tested for delamination resistance in accordance with Section 9.2 of this Standard. Note: Re qualification tests are limited to those items that are deemed to be OUT OF CONTROL INSPECTION Each qualification or re qualification specimen shall meet the requirements in the joint area of the grade being qualified DECISION RULES INITIAL QUALIFICATION RULES Results of edge and flat bending and delamination tests shall determine whether or not grade stamps may be issued for the item being qualified. Note: If the test results meet the delamination requirement above but do not meet all the other requirements, the manufacturer may elect to qualify for a lower grade. Alternatively, adjustments to the manufacturing process may be made; new samples selected and tested until the above requirements are satisfied. An item shall be considered qualified when all the following requirements have been met: BENDING STRENGTH a) All of the 53 specimen test results shall meet or exceed the minimum bending strength value as provided in Tables 4 to 7; b) Not more than 1 of the 53 specimen test results shall have an edge bending strength less than the 5 th %ile bending strength value as provided in Tables 4 to 7; c) Not more than 1 of the 53 specimen test results shall have a flat bending strength less than the 5 th %ile bending strength value as provided in Tables 4 to 7; and d) When the additional specimen sampling procedure referred to in Section 13.3 is used to qualify for bending strength:

24 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 22 i) The number of test results below the minimum bending strength test value, as provided in Tables 4 to 7, shall not exceed 1 in a 102 specimen sample or 2 in a 148 specimen sample; and ii) The number of test results below the 5 th %ile bending strength test value, as provided in Tables 4 to 7, shall not exceed 2 in a 78 specimen sample; 3 in a 102 specimen sample; 4 in a 125 specimen sample; or 5 in a 148 specimen sample FINGERJOINT DELAMINATION Specimen Delamination Conditioning and Classification A 20 test piece delamination sample prepared in accordance with Section shall be subjected to one (1) or, if required, three (3) delamination cycles following procedures outlined in Section and their delamination results processed as follows: a) After One (1) Cycle: Test specimens with delamination of less than or equal to 5% shall be deemed as meeting the delamination resistance requirements of this Standard and do not require any further exposure to delamination cycles. i) For Long fingered (LF) Joints: A long fingered (LF) joint does not meet the delamination resistance requirements of this Standard if the delamination exceeds 15% on either test specimen. Additional exposure to delamination cycles is not required. Note 1: For LF delamination testing, a LF joint is prepared in accordance with Clause The LF delamination is determined by the average of the delamination results found on each half of the test specimen taken from the same joint (the sum of the delamination found on each side of the joint divided by 2). ii) For Short fingered (SF) Joints: A short fingered (SF) joint does not meet the delamination resistance requirements of this Standard if the delamination is greater than 10%. Additional exposure to delamination cycles is not required. Note 2: For SF delamination testing, a SF joint is prepared in accordance with Section The SF delamination is that obtained from the single test specimen. Otherwise, the specimen(s) shall be subjected to two additional cycles for a total of three cycles. b) After Three (3) Cycles: i) For Long fingered (LF) Joints: A LF specimen does not meet the delamination resistance requirements of this Standard if the LF delamination (see Note 1) is greater than 10%, or if the delamination is greater than 15% on either half of the test specimen. ii) For Short fingered (SF) Joints A SF specimen does not meet the delamination resistance requirements of this Standard if the delamination is greater than 10%. Otherwise, the specimen shall be deemed as meeting the delamination resistance requirements Evaluation of Delamination Results The delamination resistance requirements are deemed to have been met if at least 19 of the 20 specimens for delamination meet or exceed the delamination resistance requirements assessed in accordance with Section of this Standard RE QUALIFICATION RULES BENDING STRENGTH The fingerjoined lumber shall be considered requalified for bending strength properties when the following requirements are met: TH %ILE BENDING STRENGTH a) As applicable, All of the 28 specimen test results shall meet or exceed the 5 th %ile edge bending strength value as provided for the grade in Tables 4 to 7. b) As applicable, All of the 28 specimen test results shall meet or exceed the 5 th %ile flat bending strength value as provided for the grade in Tables 4 to 7. c) When the additional samples referred to in Section 13.4 are used to re qualify the 5 th %ile bending strength, the number of test results below the 5 th %ile bending strength value as provided in Tables 4 to 7 shall not exceed 1 in a 53 specimen sample; 2 in a 78 specimen sample; or 3 in a 102 specimen sample MINIMUM BENDING STRENGTH a) As applicable, All of the 28 specimen test results shall meet the 5 th %ile bending strength value as provided in Tables 4 to 7. If this requirement is met, the process is considered re qualified. However, the sampling frequency shall be increased (doubled or tripled, etc.) and maintained until an additional 25 specimen sample has been generated and tested for the bending orientation (edge wise or flat wise) that was found to be OUT OF CONTROL.

25 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 23 All of the 25 additional test results shall meet or exceed the minimum bending strength value as provided in Tables 4 to 7. b) When the additional samples referred to in Section 13.4 are used to re qualify the minimum bending strength, the test results shall meet the following: i) For a sample size of less than 102, None of the test results shall have a bending strength less than minimum bending strength value as provided in Tables 4 to 7; ii) Otherwise, the number of test results below the minimum shall not exceed 1 in a 102 specimen sample or 2 in a 148 specimen sample FINGERJOINT DELAMINATION The fingerjoints shall be considered re qualified for delamination resistance when the requirements of Section are met SUBSEQUENT QUALIFICATION NEW GRADES Qualification sampling and testing as outlined in Section 13.3 are required for each new item. Test results shall satisfy the requirements of Section MAJOR CHANGES The qualification procedures outlined in Section 13.2 shall be required for any major changes and/or process conditions, which in the opinion of the Agency may affect the quality of the product. Note 1: Major changes may include but are not necessarily limited to: any new adhesive, a change to the joint profile, fingerjoining of green or greenfrozen lumber and/or producing a grade(s) that has higher design values than those initially qualified. Note 2: Changes in size and/or species or species combinations is not considered a major change. Requirements set forth in Section 13.3 are intended to deal with size and/or species changes NON PRODUCTION OF QUALIFIED GRADES ECEEDING ONE YEAR GENERAL When a qualified facility does not produce fingerjoined lumber for a period exceeding one year, and the Agency has confirmed that the requirements of Section have been met and that a major change as defined in Section has not occurred, resumption of fingerjoined lumber production is permitted after the requirements of Section (CASE B) have been met. Otherwise, the requirements of Section (CASE A) shall be met CASE A All grade qualifications for that facility shall become void. The requirements for initial qualification shall be satisfied prior to further production of fingerjoined lumber CASE B Prior to the resumption of production, the highest grade (e.g. highest test load requirements) of the widest width that the facility wishes to produce that was previously qualified and IN CONTROL, shall be sampled and tested for bending strength and delamination resistance in accordance with Sections 13.3 and Note: If a facility wishes, at a later date, to produce a wider width that was previously qualified and incontrol, the highest previously qualified grade (e.g. highest test load requirements) for this width shall be sampled and tested for bending strength and delamination resistance in accordance with Sections 13.3 and Subsequent to the resumption of production, edge and flat wise bending samples from two consecutive production shifts for the same grade and width evaluated in shall meet the requirements of Section Delamination sampling shall revert to Level I EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION Records of all calibration checks and spot check verifications shall be maintained for at least six (6) years TEST EQUIPMENT The test equipment shall be certified and calibrated by an independent certification organisation acceptable to CLSAB. This is to be done prior to initial qualification and once a year thereafter. Procedures for calibration of the test equipment shall be consistent with the applicable sections in ASTM E4, except that the percentage error shall not exceed ± 2.0%. It is the responsibility of the facility to maintain the operating condition of its test equipment in accordance with requirements set forth in their Quality Control Manual and this Standard. The test equipment calibration shall be spot checked in accordance with procedures set forth in the Quality Control Manual and the spot check shall be performed at a frequency level listed in Table 8 and whenever there is reason to suspect the equipment may be out of calibration or damaged. The Agency shall be notified immediately if damage to the test equipment or a spot check device has occurred. Re calibration of the test equipment or spotcheck devices by an independent certification organisation may be required by the Agency.

26 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 24 TABLE 8 TEST EQUIPMENT SPOT CHECK FREQUENCY Equipment Bending Tester Tension Tester Other Test Equipment Minimum Spot Check Frequency At least once a week At least once a week As per manufacturer's specifications, the Quality Control Manual and/or SPS CALIBRATION DEVICES An independent certification organisation acceptable to CLSAB shall certify and calibrate devices necessary to conduct the required spot checks on the test equipment. This is to be done prior to initial qualification and once a year thereafter. Procedures for the certification and calibration of calibration spot check devices shall be consistent with applicable sections of ASTM E4 except that the percentage error shall not exceed ± 2.0%. A copy of all certification documents shall be made available to the Agency QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS 15.1 QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES The quality control procedures described herein are intended to detect non conformance in the fingerjoints. The properties of the fingerjoints to be considered are edge and flat bending strength and delamination. In addition, when applicable, all fingerjoints are required to be proof loaded to a tension stress level as provided in Tables 4 to 7. The quality control procedures used by a facility shall be fully documented in their Quality Control Manual. Verification of product quality includes two independent procedures: a) One dealing with the quality, strength and delamination of the fingerjoints; and b) One dealing with the grade of the lumber containing fingerjoints. Verification as to the grade of the lumber shall follow the grading provisions set forth in the NLGA Grading Rules. Note: Delamination tests can be made on rough lumber provided delamination tests are performed on the finished product as well, and that the finished product results must be used for product quality control. This is meant to address the effect that planing may have on the fingerjoint QUALITY CONTROL SAMPLING SAMPLING METHOD The sampling method shall be approved by the Agency and documented in the Quality Control Manual SAMPLING FREQUENCY FOR DAILY QUALITY CONTROL The frequency of the sampling is stated in Sections , , and/or Under exceptional circumstances, the Agency may request the facility to increase its frequency of inspection and/or testing TENSION PROOF LOADED ITEMS At least one specimen for flat bending test and one specimen for edge bending test shall be obtained during each four (4) hours or part thereof of operation for production that is tension proof loaded NON TENSION PROOF LOADED ITEMS At least one specimen for flat bending test and one specimen for edge bending test shall be obtained during each two (2) hours of operation for production that is non tension proof loaded with no fewer than five (5) specimens collected during any production shift of less than five (5) hours DELAMINATION SAMPLING There are four stages of delamination sampling: a) Delamination Sampling Following Qualification; b) Level I Delamination Sampling; c) Level II Delamination Sampling; and d) Delamination Verification Sampling a) Delamination Sampling Following Qualification Immediately following initial qualification of a product, four fingerjoint specimens shall be obtained from each half shift, or part thereof, of operation for at least 500 shifts. These fingerjoints may be taken from specimens sampled for bending tests (refer to Section 9.2). The delamination results shall be assessed in accordance with Table 9 to determine if verification sampling in accordance with (d) is required. If after 500 shifts of performing delamination sampling and testing the data shows that the facility remained IN CONTROL for the last 40 shifts of production, then the facility may go on to Level II Delamination Sampling and testing. b) Level I Delamination Sampling For Level I delamination sampling, four fingerjoint specimens shall be obtained from each half shift, or part thereof. These fingerjoints may be taken from pieces sampled for bending tests (refer to Section 9.2). The delamination results shall be assessed in accordance with Table 9 to determine if verification sampling in accordance with Section (d) is required. If after performing delamination sampling and testing the data shows that the facility remained "IN CONTROL" for the last 40 shifts of production, then the facility may go on to Level II Delamination sampling and testing.

27 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 25 c) Level II Delamination Sampling For Level II Delamination Sampling and testing, one fingerjoint specimen shall be obtained for each half shift, or part thereof of operation. The delamination results shall be assessed in accordance with Table 9 to determine if verification sampling in accordance with (d) is required. d) Verification Delamination Sampling When verification sampling is required (see Table 9), an additional sample of 5 fingerjoint specimens shall be randomly selected from the half shift of production. When operating under Level II sampling, the 5 fingerjoint specimens shall be randomly taken from the second half shift. The first half shift shall be sampled if required by Section (a). Note: See APPENDI I for commentary on Table QUALITY CONTROL TESTING Testing for modulus of rupture, delamination and tensile strength shall be performed in accordance with the procedures described in PART A, Section 9 of this Standard ANALYSIS OF QUALITY CONTROL TESTS Test results shall be entered on Agency approved control forms. The control forms shall be designed so that the process properties qualified under Sections 13.3 and are recorded and IN CONTROL and OUT OF CONTROL situations shall be readily detectable IN CONTROL (Also see APPENDI VI, VII & VIII) When all of the process properties referred to in Sections 15.3 and 15.4 remain IN CONTROL, the item from which the quality control sample was drawn shall be deemed to be in compliance with the property requirements of this Standard. TABLE 9 HALF SHIFT DELAMINATION RESULTS REQUIRING FURTHER VERIFICATION SAMPLING Sampling Stage Section Joints Sampled per Half shift Number of Joints at the Delamination Level that Require Verification Sampling (Sec d) > 5% > 10% Following Qualification (a) or more All Other Cases Level II Level I (b) or more 1 st half shift (c) 1 1 [1] 1 2 nd half shift (c) 1 1 [2] 1 Verification sampling not required and half shift of production is IN CONTROL [1] Verification sampling pending and required only if specimen joint from 2nd half shift shows delamination is greater than 5%. [2] Verification sampling required only if specimen joint from 1 st half shift shows delamination greater than 5%, or if 1 st half shift is deemed to be OUT OF CONTROL OUT OF CONTROL The requirements of this section relate to the conditions described in APPENDI VI and APPENDI VII. When the process fails to meet the requirements specified in this Standard, the facility shall be deemed to be OUT OF CONTROL and the production as defined in Sections or shall be held pending the results of the following testing and analysis: a) An examination of the test procedures, calibration and/or calculations shall be made to determine whether there were errors; b) If no such errors are identified, proceed to Sections and/or ; c) Held production deemed to be OUT OF CONTROL after evaluations in accordance with Sections and/or shall be rejected. The grade stamps from rejected production shall be obliterated or removed BENDING STRENGTH When the production represented by a specific time frame from which the quality control sample was drawn fails to meet the bending strength requirements prescribed in Section 8.1, production from this time frame shall be held pending the results of bending tests on a twenty eight (28) specimen sample for each of the bending orientation (edge wise or flat wise) that went OUT OF CONTROL. These confirmation samples shall be randomly selected and tested in accordance with Section 13.4.

28 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page th %ile Bending Strength When an edge and/or flat bending test specimen falls below the 5 th %ile bending strength test value as provided in Tables 4 to 7 for the property tested, but not below the minimum joint strength value, the quality control edge and/or flat bending test specimen results of at least 27 of the next 28 piece edge and/or flat bending tests shall meet or exceed the 5 th %ile bending strength value. Otherwise, the facility shall be deemed to be OUT OF CONTROL. When the test results from 27 of the last 28 edge and/or flat bending specimens sampled in accordance with Section or , as applicable, fail to meet the 5 th %ile bending strength requirements of Section 8.1.2, the confirmation samples shall be evaluated as follows: If the 28 specimen flat bending and/or the 28 specimen edge bending test results fail to meet the requirements of Section , the held production is OUT OF CONTROL Minimum Bending Strength When an edge and/or flat bending test sample result sampled in accordance with Section or , as applicable, fails to meet the minimum bending strength value as provided in Tables 4 to 7, the confirmation samples shall be evaluated for the bending orientation that went OUT OF CONTROL as follows: a) If the 28 specimen flat bending and/or 28 specimen edge bending test, as applicable, fails to meet the requirements of Section , the held production is OUT OF CONTROL. b) If the 28 specimen re qualification sample meets the 5 th %ile bending strength requirements of Section , the process is considered IN CONTROL and the sampling frequency shall be increased (doubled, tripled, etc.) and maintained until an additional 25 specimen sample has been generated and tested for the bending orientation (edge wise or flat wise) that was found to be OUT OF CONTROL. c) All of the 25 additional test results shall meet or exceed the minimum bending strength value as provided in Tables 4 to 7 and not more than 1 of the test results shall be below the 5 th %ile bending strength value. d) Otherwise, the process is deemed to be OUT OF CONTROL for the minimum edge wise or flat wise bending strength, whichever bending orientation is undergoing re qualification DELAMINATION a) If the average delamination of the 5 piece verification sample (Section (d)) exceeds 10%, the half shift of held production from which the samples were drawn shall be deemed to be OUT OF CONTROL for delamination. b) When operating under Level II sampling, the first half shift of production is permitted to be evaluated using verification sampling (Section (d)). Otherwise, the first half shift of production shall also be deemed to be OUT OF CONTROL for delamination. c) If the average delamination of the 5 piece verification sample (Section (d)) is less than or equal to 10%, the half shift of held production from which the samples were drawn, and the first half shift of production if operating under Level II sampling, shall be deemed to be IN CONTROL for delamination. d) If four or more consecutive half shifts of production are deemed to be OUT OF CONTROL for delamination, the process shall be deemed OUT OF CONTROL for delamination and shall be requalified for delamination as specified with Section ALTERNATE GRADES As a result of the number of samples obtained for qualification, it is statistically possible to qualify a grade and subsequently find that it is not possible to maintain the fingerjoint requirements of the grade. In such a case, the facility, upon approval by the Agency, may wish to grade stamp to a lower grade for which the quality control test requirements can be satisfied. This provision applies to Select Structural, No. 1 and No. 2 grades IDENTIFICATION AND TRACEABILITY Each package of fingerjoined lumber leaving the facility production line shall be identified with the time and date it left the production line. This is to allow traceability of an item in the event further testing is required or in the event of a non conformance or an OUT OF CONTROL condition QUALITY CONTROL RECORDS Facility control records shall include but are not necessarily limited to: a) Test equipment calibration and maintenance data; b) Quality control tests; and c) All fingerjoined production stoppages as a result of quality control requirements and a report of the corrective actions taken. Separate records shall be maintained for each item produced. All records shall include the date when performed and shall be retained for at least six (6) years. These records shall be made available to the Agency upon request.

29 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page REINSPECTION PROVISIONS 16.1 GENERAL Response to complaints on fingerjoined lumber involving visual grade, size, moisture content, tally, fingerjoints or assigned design values, shall be based on the applicable requirements within this section of the Standard, and by the requirements set forth in the NLGA Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber (Section 1.2 of this Standard). Sample selection and testing shall be performed by the Agency whose logo appears on the lumber (or by an independent accredited testing organization approved by the original grading Agency). Only certified test equipment calibrated to a national standard and using a process mutually agreed upon by the Agency, the seller, and the buyer shall be used JOINT ASSESSMENT SAMPLING AND EVALUATION In the case of a dispute pertaining to fingerjoint strength assigned design values, a random sample of the item under complaint shall be obtained as follows: a) 80 specimens for the edge bending modulus of rupture property evaluations to be tested in accordance with Section 9.1 of this Standard in such a way that the compression face is randomly generated; b) 80 specimens for the flat bending modulus of rupture evaluations to be tested in accordance with Section 9.1 of this Standard in such a way that the compression face is randomly generated. Testing shall be undertaken in accordance with procedures set forth in Section 9.1 of this Standard using test equipment calibrated to a national standard and certified by an independent accredited testing organization. Test results of the lumber in dispute shall be assessed as follows: i) For the edge bending modulus of rupture, not more than 6 specimens out of 80 shall have an MOR value that is less than the corresponding 5 th %ile value as provided in Tables 4 to 7 for the grade and size. ii) For the flat bending modulus of rupture, not more than 6 specimens out of 80 shall have an MOR value that is less than the corresponding 5 th %ile value as provided in Tables 4 to 7 for the grade and size. For specimens that fail away from the joint at less than the 5 th %ile MOR value as provided in Tables 4 to 7, an equal number of replacement joints shall be selected and tested FINGERJOINT DELAMINATION SAMPLING AND EVALUATION In cases of complaints pertaining to the fingerjoint delamination, a 20 specimen sample representing the item shall be randomly selected. Specimen preparation and testing shall be in accordance with Section 9.2 of this Standard. If the delamination of any specimen or, if applicable, the average delamination of a specimen and its matching specimen (Section ) after one vacuum, pressure and drying cycle exceeds 5% but is less than 10%, repeat the above vacuum, pressure, drying cycle twice on that specimen and its matching specimen (if any), and record the delamination at the end of the third cycle. Not more than 2 joints shall show greater than 15% delamination.

30 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 28 APPENDI I BENDING TEST SET UP SCHEMATIC APPENDICES Load Load span h ½ shear span 9h Total span Specim en length ½ shear span 9h FIGURE 1 BENDING TEST SET UP SCHEMATIC Example: The specimen is a nominal 2x4 to be tested to determine the flat wise bending strength of the fingerjoint. The fingers are 1 inch long. Section requires that the load points be placed approximately 2 inches from the fingerjoint, and that the shear span to depth ratio be between 15 and 20. The following loading configuration is therefore used: Test on flat (depth) = 1.5" Load span = 5" Shear span to depth ratio = 18 Overhang (beyond supports) = 4" each end Shear span = 18 x 1.5 = 27"; 1/2 shear span = 0.5 x 27 = 13.5"; Length = Shear span + Load span + (2 x Overhang); = (2 x 4) = 40". The modulus of rupture (MOR) is calculated using: MOR 3Pa bh 2 Where: P = the maximum load obtained in pounds; a = half the shear span in inches; h = the specified depth of the specimen in inches; b = the specified breadth of the specimen in inches; MOR = modulus of rupture in psi. For the example shown, the calculations using inch pound unit is as follows: MOR 3P x P x 1.5 with P in lbs. and MOR in psi. If the breaking load, P, is 935 lbs., the MOR is 4,810 psi. APPENDI II QUALITY CONTROL MANUAL CONTENTS The Quality Control Manual (Plant Standard) is a written description of the manufacturing operation, broken down by station. For each station in the sequence of manufacture, a description is required of the function performed by the equipment, the skills the operator requires, the responsibility of the operator in control of that station, and (if required) what checks are instituted to ensure that the equipment and operator are performing within the desired limits. Examples of typical stations are: a) Input grading: a station where defects are removed from the ends of the lumber prior to machining of the fingerjoint; b) Machining of the fingerjoints: this station would be concerned primarily with set up tolerances and criteria for changing cutter heads; c) Glue mixing: this station would be concerned with measuring the prescribed proportions of adhesive and hardener, ensuring thorough blending at the prescribed temperature levels; and d) Make up station: this station may consist of top dead rolls mounted above the in feed table (ahead of the crowder and retard system). It provides assistance to the operator with assembly of the joint.

31 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 29 The Quality Control Manual provides details of all test procedures used, the wood failure criteria used (if any) and the records to be kept of in process checks that are made. The details of the Quality Control Manual will vary with the process used. Some aspects of it may be common to all lumber sizes, grades and species groupings, while other aspects may vary with size, grade and species. An important part in the Quality Control Manual is special provisions for shut down and start up of the gluing line, particularly during temporary stoppages. The latter is of particular significance in preheat processes, in which the glue may be spread on heated wood, and must be put under gluing pressure within a limited time to avoid pre cure of the glue. Another important section covers the provisions made for the absence of any operator with specialized skills essential to the process. In general, the Quality Control Manual specifies, in writing, one or more sets of facility operating conditions that are known to result in a product that is in continuous conformance with the requirements of this Standard. The qualification applies only to product(s) produced within the specified limits of the Quality Control Manual. APPENDI III THE USE OF WOOD FAILURE ASSESSMENT IN PROCESS CONTROL In this Standard, control of the quality of gluing is based on resistance to delamination. However, the results from a delamination test take time. During the start up, and during periods in which the manufacturing facility goes out of control for no obvious reason, assessing the wood failure developed in the fingerjoint may assess the quality of the glueline more rapidly. In processes using heat to accelerate the cure of the glueline, wood failure may be assessed within a short period after assembly of the glued joint, usually within 5 to 15 minutes. This wood failure assessment may be used as a diagnostic tool to identify malfunctions in the manufacturing process. The significance of wood failure is that it correlates inversely with delamination resistance. If a high degree of wood failure develops, the joint should be resistant to delamination. Conversely, any area in the joint that shows no wood failure may be prone to delaminating in the delamination test. In this Standard, wood failure shall mean that the joint fails in a shallow layer of the wood next to the glueline. In testing fingerjoints, the difficulty with a wood failure test procedure is a tendency for some of the fingers to break off at the base rather than pull out of the joint. Such broken fingers are not classed as wood failure, but are indeterminate, since the glueline under the finger was not stressed in shear parallel to the glueline. Another observation of interest is not wood failure, but glue failure. Ordinary glue failure is a failure in the glueline itself, so that glue is visible on both matching surfaces of the joint. In hot set joints made with phenol resorcinol glue, a common cause is thick gluelines in which the glue boils out. This may result from inadequate pressure, which in turn may result from a slip in the roller press, improper machining of the joint, or from dirt in the joint which prevents the joint from squeezing together properly. Another cause for glue failure is pre cure of the glue in circumstances in which glue is spread on both ends of a heated fingerjoined piece. This pre cure may affect the whole joint or may be restricted to areas in the joint that received an inadequate spread of glue as a result of glue wipe in the glue spreader. Another type of failure is adhesion failure, in which the glueline fails not in the glueline, but at the surface of the wood. In such a failure, the glue is visible on one side of the glueline but the matching area on the other side of the glueline is bare wood or wood lightly stained by the glue. Common causes of this is pre cure of the glue spread on one end of the piece of heated wood, due to either inadequate glue spread in all or part of the joint, or in holding the glue spread piece too long before assembly. Both types of failure (cohesion failure and adhesion failure) must be distinguished from glue skip, in which a portion of the joint gluing surfaces receives no glue at all. This is not a glue failure; however, any such area may be vulnerable to delamination. The technique used to open the joint with minimum breakage of the fingers is to fail the joint in bending at right angles to the line of the fingers: e.g. flat bending of a horizontal fingerjoint. The piece is subjected to a bending load until approximately half of the fingers on the tension face are pulled open. The piece is then turned over and a bending load again applied to pull open the remaining fingers. In hot set joints, less finger breakage is obtained if the joint is broken open as soon as the glue has hardened. It is particularly important that the entire joint be broken open in flat bending. If the testing machine does not have sufficient displacement capacity, the partially failed joint can be broken completely open by resting it on two supports and applying sufficient force to pull open the joint. Wood failure is not a mandatory requirement of this Standard. However, Section requires that sufficient glue must be applied to the joint.

32 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 30 APPENDI IV AGENCY ADMINISTRATION An accredited Agency shall administer this Standard. Agency approval of a facility to grade stamp fingerjoined lumber shall be contingent upon the facility s compliance with the procedures and requirements of this Standard. Inspections shall include amongst other things reporting on the following: a) Examination of specimens from the facility s inventory, the facility s records, and procedures, to verify compliance to the requirements of PART A of this Standard and the Quality Control Manual. b) Examination of the bending and the proof loading equipment including observations on: i) wear and damage; ii) lubrication and operations of moveable parts; iii) record of weekly calibration c) Examination of the delamination test equipment, including the apparatus for measuring temperature, pressure and time, and the drying chamber. d) Inspection of the glue mixing equipment and procedures, including the accuracy of the weighing equipment, mixing proportions, and cleanliness of the facility. e) Verification of the delamination measurement and procedures. f) Examination of the control system used to prevent overheating of the wood in the gluing surface. APPENDI V FINGER PROFILE ORIENTATION FOR DELAMINATION IN THE DRYING CHAMBER FIGURE 2 FINGER ORIENTATION RELATIVE TO AIRFLOW

33 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 31 APPENDI VI EAMPLES OF DELAMINATION IN CONTROL & OUT OF CONTROL SCENARIOS FIGURE 3 EAMPLES OF IN CONTROL AND OUT OF CONTROL SCENARIOS

34 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 32 APPENDI VII FINGER JOINT VERIFICATION FLOW CHARTS: DELAMINATION FIGURE 4 DELAMINATION FINGERJOINT VERIFICATION FLOW CHART

35 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 33 APPENDI VIII FINGER JOINT VERIFICATION FLOW CHARTS: BENDING STRENGTH ITEM FOR WHICH OUT-OF-CONTROL IS ENCOUNTERED SHALL BE HELD PENDING RESULTS OF VERIFICATION TESTS BENDING STRENGTH OUT-OF-CONTROL CHECK TEST PROCEDURES AND EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION "Minimum Bending Tests" Equipment and calibration confirmed. Perform edge and/or flat bending tests "5TH%ILE BENDING TESTS" EQUIPMENT AND CALIBRATION CONFIRMED. PERFORM EDGE AND/OR FLAT BENDING TESTS TEST PROCEDURES OR EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION IN ERROR SELECT 28-PC FLAT BENDING AND/OR A 28 PC EDGE BENDING SAMPLE FROM HELD PRODUCTION AND PERFORM 28 FLAT AND 28 EDGE BENDING TESTS, AS APPLICABLE SELECT 28-PC FLAT BENDING AND/OR A 28 PC EDGE BENDING SAMPLE FROM HELD PRODUCTION AND PERFORM 28 FLAT AND 28 EDGE BENDING TESTS, AS APPLICABLE MAKE APPROPRIATE ADJUSTMENTS TEST EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION IN ERROR TEST PROCEDURE IN ERROR IN-CONTROL OUT-OF-CONTROL RELEASE HELD ITEM OBLITERATE GRADE STAMPS FROM HELD ITEM AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO PROCESS OBTAIN ANOTHER QUALITY CONTROL SAMPLE PIECE FROM HELD ITEM AND RETEST SELECT 28-PC FLAT BENDING AND/OR A 28 PC EDGE BENDING SAMPLE FROM HELD PRODUCTION AND PERFORM 28 FLAT AND/OR 28 EDGE BENDING TESTS, AS APPLICABLE IN-CONTROL BENDING STRENGTH RE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 28 BENDING TESTS TO BE CARRIED OUT FOR THE ITEM, BENDING ORIENTATION & PROPERTY BEING EVALUATED IN-CONTROL OUT-OF-CONTROL MINIMUM BENDING STRENGTH PROPERTY A. "ALL" PIECES OF THE 28 PCS. SHALL MEET THE "5TH%ILE BENDING STRENGTH" TEST VALUE FOR THE ITEM; AND RELEASE HELD ITEM OBLITERATE GRADE STAMPS FROM HELD ITEM AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO PROCESS B. AN ADDITIONAL 25 PCS. SHALL BE TESTED (SAMPLED ALL AT ONCE OR AT INCREASED FREQUENCY) AND "ALL" OF THE TESTS RESULTS FROM THE 25 PCS SHALL MEET OR ECEED THE "MINIMUM BENDING STRENGTH" VALUE FOR THE ITEM. C. IF ADDITIONAL SAMPLES ARE USED, THE NUMBER OF PCS. BELOW THE "MINIMUM BENDING STRENGTH" SHALL NOT ECEED 1 IN 102 OR 2 IN 148 5TH%ILE BENDING STRENGTH PROPERTY A. "ALL" PCS. OF THE 28 PCS. SHALL MEET THE 5TH%ILE BENDING STRENGTH TEST VALUE FOR THE ITEM; AND B. IF ADDITIONAL ADDITIONAL SAMPLES ARE REQUIRED, THE NUMBER OF PCS. BELOW THE "5TH%ILE BENDING STRENGTH" TEST VALUE SHALL NOT ECEED 1 IN 53, 2 IN 78 OR 3 IN 102. FIGURE 5 BENDING STRENGTH FINGERJOINT VERIFICATION FLOW CHART

36 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 34 APPENDI I COMMENTARY ON TABLE 9 HALF SHIFT DELAMINATION RESULTS REQUIRING FURTHER VERIFICATION TESTING a) Evaluation of Delamination Results after Qualification (Row 1 Columns 4 & 5) If following qualification and after one vacuum pressure dry cycle, all four fingerjoint specimens show average delamination greater than 5% but less than 10% (Column 4); OR one or more of the four fingerjoints show average delamination greater than 10% (Column 5), the half shift production where the fingerjoint specimens were taken must be re sampled for verification testing. b) Evaluation of Level I Delamination Results (Row 2 Columns 4 & 5) If under Level I delamination sampling and after one vacuumpressure dry cycle, all four fingerjoint specimens show average delamination greater than 5% but less than 10% (Column 4); OR one or more of the four fingerjoints show average delamination greater than 10% (Column 5), the halfshift production where the fingerjoint specimens were taken must be re sampled for verification testing. c) Evaluation of Level II 1 st Half Shift Delamination Results (Row 3 Columns 4 & 5) If under Level II delamination sampling and after one vacuum pressure dry cycle, the single fingerjoint specimen taken in the first half shift shows average delamination of 5% but less than 10% (Column 4), take no action but wait for the result of the second half shift fingerjoint specimen. However, if the single fingerjoint specimen shows average delamination greater than 10% (Column 5), then the first half shift production where the fingerjoint specimen was taken must be re sampled for verification testing. d) Evaluation of Level II 2 nd Half Shift Delamination Results (Row 4 Columns 4 & 5) If under Level II delamination sampling and after one vacuum pressure dry cycle, the single fingerjoint specimen taken in the second half shift also shows average delamination of 5% but less than 10% (Column 4); OR if the single fingerjoint specimen shows average delamination greater than 10% (Column 5), the second half shift production where the fingerjoint specimen was taken must be re sampled for verification testing. In addition, the first half shift production must also be re sampled for verification testing if it has not already been re sampled under Row 3 above.

37 SPS 1 (March 2017) Page 35 General Instruction No. 1 NLGA SPS 1 March 2017 NLGA Special Product Standard 1 (SPS 1) consists of 35 pages; each dated March 2017" This Standard, like all NLGA Standards, is subject to periodic review, and may be amended from time to time. Check the publication section of the NLGA website ( for the date of the latest edition.

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39 SPS 1 and 3 Questions and Ratified Responses February 2017